PHOTO: AFP/Scanpix/LETA
On Monday, the UN Security Council was once again unable to agree on a resolution on the month-long war between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas.
Despite more than two hours of closed-door discussions, disagreements persisted. The US called for a “humanitarian pause”, while many other council members called for a “humanitarian ceasefire” to deliver badly needed aid to the Gaza Strip and prevent further civilian casualties.
“We talked about humanitarian pauses, and we’re interested in continuing to talk about that issue,” Deputy US Ambassador Robert Wood told reporters after the meeting. “But there is a difference of opinion in the council as to whether this is acceptable,” he added.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres told reporters on Monday that he wants an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and a halt to the escalation already taking place in the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen.
Guterres said there was a clear violation of international humanitarian law, which requires the protection of civilians and their vital infrastructure, and stressed that “no party to an armed conflict is above” those laws. He called for the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages who were taken by “Hamas” on October 7 during the attack on Israel and taken to the Gaza Strip.
The UN Security Council meeting was convened by China, which holds the presidency of the UN Security Council this month, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). UAE Ambassador Lana Nuseibeh said all 15 members of the council “are fully engaged” and efforts will continue to iron out differences and reach agreement on a resolution.
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2023-11-07 08:23:55
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